Clutch



(.No Model.)

E. B. LAKE.

CLUTCH.

No.3`85,123. PatentedJune 26,1888.

ll'NiTn STATES PATENT Frisia,

EZRA B. LAKE, OFCAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 385,123, dated June 26, 1888.

Application filed April 19, 1887. Serial No. 235,397. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit knownthat I, EZRA B. LAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Camden, in the county 0f Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutch Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part ofthis speciticatiomin which- Figure 1 is a view of the clutch with the top removed. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View. Fig. 3 shows the clutch attached to a rudderpost.

This invention has relation to clutch mechanism,and has for its object to provide a clutch which shall be capable of clutching a shaft in either direction of its movement. This form of clutch is adapted for use ina variety of po sitions, but is particularly adapted for use on steering` mechanism, where it is desired to retain a shaftand its attached mcchanisrn-as, for instance, a wheel or a rudderin any desired position sufficiently rigid to lresist considerable strain, and at the same time to be able to be quickly and easily changed from one position to another. This clutch is therefore well adapted for use on the steering mechanism of a vessel, where the action of the water upon the rudder has a tendency to swing the same from one side to the other. It is also adapted for use on the steeringwheel of vehicles-such as tire-ladder trucks-where the wheels are adapted to be swung around independently of the movement of the tru-ck. Again, it can be used upon the steering or guide wheel of a tricycle, and, in fact, it is adapted and designed to be used in any position in which a shaft is to be controlled in its rotary movement.

This invention therefore consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts more fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

A is a iixedfhollow cylindrical box forming the case for the clutch mechanism, having top B and bottom C. D is a duplicate or false bottom plate for the same, and c, c', c2, and o3 are the clutch-levers, iitted on pins b, b', b2, and b ou the bottom D. Stops e, e', e2, and e3 near the edge of bottom D limit the movement ot the clutch-levers.

E E are flat metal springs held in position by pinsff, their ends impiuging against the sides of the levers c, c', c2, and c3 and pressing the same toward each other-that is, the lever c is pressed toward the lever c and the lever c' pressed toward the lever c2. The outer ends of the clutch-levers are formed in such ashape that when the levers press against the stops e, e, e2, and e3 their peripherics will exactly coincide with the periphery ofthe bottoni plate, D; or, in other words, they will all forlnapart of the outline ofthe same circle, and when in this position they will not prevent the rotation of the bottom plate, D, within the ease A. lVlien pressed toward cach other by the action of the springs E E', their outer ends extend beyond the edge of the bottom plate, D, and form wedges, effectually preventing the bottom plate, D, from being rotated within the case A. The shaft F, being rigidly attached to the bottom plate, D, will 'be held from turning when the levers are pressed toward each other, and Will only be allowed to turn when the four levers are held apart.

The top B is provided with ahollow sleeve, g, which loosely slides over the upper end of the shaft F, and has a handle, G, attached thereto, by Which the shaft is turned.

h h are keys or blocks fitting between the inner sides ofthe clutch-levers and serving to sepa rate the same. These blocks are carried on shafts i t', journaled in the plate B, which 'are provided with thumb-pieces lc k on their upper ends. A jam-nut, I, on the upper end of the shaft F holds the several parts in position Within the case A.

The operation of the .device is as follows: When the clutch is in proper position, the springs E E press thelevers toward each other and cause their outer ends to impinge against the inner side of the case A and irmly lock the shaft'F in its position. \Vhen the handle Gis turned in either direction, the plate B turns with it in the same direction, and the blocks h h', pressing against two of the levers,

release the saine from impingement with the -inside of the case and allow the shaft F to turn.

When the handle is released, the springs E E:

will overcome the pressure ofthe blocks, and by causing the clutch-levers to again press against the inside of the case will lock the shaft in position till the handleis again turned either in the same or the opposite direction.

If, for any reason, it is desired to entirely release the clutch, the shafts t' z" are turned by means of the thumb-pieces 7c k till the blocks h 7L press the levers against the stops e e e2 e3. When in this position, the shaft is not locked, and can be freely revolved either by the handle G or from below the clutch-box.

WhileI have shown and-described my clutch as having four levers, I do not confine myself to the use of such number, as I may use two levers in place of four.

Vhat I claim as my invention is as follows:

1. The combination, with a rotary shaft, of a double clutch consisting of and comprising a circular plate secured to said shaft, a cylindrical boX within which said plate is arranged, eccentrically-pivoted levers attached to said plate on either side of said shaft, springs bearing upon said levers, and a rotary cap pro vided with keys which engage with said levers and cause the same t0 be released from engagement with the inner surface of the b oX, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the rotary shaft F and plate D, rigidly attached thereto and movable therewith, and pivoted levers c of c2 c3, whose outer ends coincide with the'periphery of said plate when the levers are separated a given distance and extend beyond said periphery when they are drawn together, of a releasing and controlling mechanism consisting of the top plate, B, provided with keys h h', and handle G, whereby the initial movement of said handle and plate will separate the levers and allow the continued movement of the handle to rotate the shaft, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of March, 1887.

EZRA B, LAKE.

Vitnesses:

WILL H. POWELL, R. DALE SPRHAWK. 

